FILE PHOTO: A truck arrives at Smithfield Foods' pork plant in Smithfield
Reuters: Smithfield shutting U.S. pork plant indefinitely, warns of meat shortages during pandemic
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Smithfield Foods, the world's biggest pork processor, said on Sunday it will shut a U.S. plant indefinitely due to a rash of coronavirus cases among employees and warned the country was moving "perilously close to the edge" in supplies for grocers.
Slaughterhouse shutdowns are disrupting the U.S. food supply chain, crimping availability of meat at retail stores and leaving farmers without outlets for their livestock.
Smithfield extended the closure of its Sioux Falls, South Dakota, plant after initially saying it would idle temporarily for cleaning. The facility is one of the nation's largest pork processing facilities, representing 4% to 5% of U.S. pork production, according to the company.
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WNU Editor: These disruptions will continue for the foreseeable future .... Coronavirus outbreaks plague meatpacking plants (Axios). Translation. Expect higher prices. But the biggest impact will not be on the U.S., Canada, or the First World. The real impact will be felt in the developing world.
More News On Concerns That The U.S. Food Supply Chain Will Continue To Be Disrupted During The Pandemic
One of America's largest meat producers has ominous warning about the grocery store supply -- The Blaze
One of the largest pork processing facilities in the US is closing until further notice -- CNN
Top pork producer shutting SD plant indefinitely amid pandemic -- The Hill
Smithfield Foods plant closure sparks fear of food supply disruption -- The Washington Times
One of America's largest pork processing plants closes due to coronavirus -- Axios
